Philip Kariam

Philip (Phil) Kariam provides expert guidance to clients on international trade and investment disputes, as well as on regulatory matters.

His international trade experience includes representing clients in anti-dumping and customs proceedings before the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, as well as advising on sanctions risks, import and export controls, and procurement matters.

As former counsel to the Province of Ontario, Phil advised the province on World Trade Organization litigation and risks under international trade agreements, as well as inter-provincial trade matters under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

Phil also represents clients in international investment arbitrations and advises on regulatory risks arising from investment obligations under international treaties. He draws from his international experience at the World Bank, providing legal services on issues related to climate change, pollution, and projects with trans-boundary impacts.

Prior to his legal career, Phil worked in civil engineering for land development, steel manufacturing, and oil mining companies.

Expertise

Industries

Practices

Representative Matters

International Trade Matters:

Oil Country Tubular Goods 1 (China), Oil Country Tubular Goods 2 (Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam), and Seamless Casing (China), reinvestigation, OCTG 2024 RI
Gypsum Board reinvestigation (US), GB 2024 RI
Seamless Casing expiry review (China), RR-2023-004
Line Pipe 2 expiry review (South Korea), RR-2022-001
Prairie Tubulars customs enforcement appeal, EA-2019-003 & 004
Rebar 2 expiry review (Belarus, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, and Spain), RR-2021-006
Gypsum Board expiry review (US), RR-2021-004
Oil Country Tubular Goods 4 investigation (Austria), NQ-2021-006
Oil Country Tubular Goods 3 investigation (Mexico), NQ-2021-004
Line Pipe 1 expiry review (China), RR-2020-004
Represented Ontario in Canada — Measures Governing the Sale of Wine (DS537)

Investment Arbitration Matters:

WM Mining v. Mongolia investment arbitration, ICSID Case No. ARB/21/8
Represented Ontario in Tennant Energy, LLC v. Government of Canada, PCA Case No. 2018-54

Speaking Engagements

Opportunities New Brunswick Tariffs 102: Panel with Trade Experts

February 27, 2025

Energy Bar Association Conference, Cross Border Energy Disputes Among Canada, the United States and Mexico – Why Can’t Neighbors Get Along

May 11, 2023

News

Community Involvement

Managing Editor, Transnational Legal Theory Journal, Toronto, Canada, 2016-2017
Refugee Sponsorship Support Program, Legal Clinic, 2016

Directorships & Affiliations

Member, Law Society of Ontario
Member, American Bar Association, International Law Section, Canada Committee Vice Chair for Publications
Member, Institute for Transnational Arbitration
Member, Canadian Bar Association

Education & Admissions

2023

Called to the New York bar

2021

Master of Laws, International Business and Economic LawGeorgetown University

2021

Master of International AffairsInternational Public Management, Science Po, Paris, France

2018

Called to the Ontario bar

2017

JDOsgoode Hall Law School

2012

Bachelor of Applied Science, Civil EngineeringUniversity of Waterloo

Publications

“The International Trade Law Review: Canada”, Co-author with Peter Jarosz, The Law Reviews, Ninth Edition (2023)
“International Protection of Foreign Investment (Canada Chapter),” Co-author with Robert Wisner and Neil Campbell, Juris Legal Information (February 2022)

Insights (25 Posts)View More

All Things Tariffs: A Comprehensive Overview of Where We Stand Today

In response to US tariffs, Canada has imposed retaliatory tariffs on a wide variety of products. Recent developments now include opportunities for remission.

Apr 17, 2025

The Pause on the Tariff War: How Businesses Can Use the Reprieve Wisely

Canadian businesses should prepare for US tariffs, set for March 4, 2025, by considering availability of duty drawbacks and remission applications.

Feb 5, 2025

Preparing for Potential US Tariffs: Key Dates and Strategic Considerations

To prepare for potential US tariffs, businesses should immediately develop a strategy to deal with the prospect of new US tariffs and mitigate their effects.

Jan 28, 2025

Competition Bureau Releases Draft Greenwashing Enforcement Guidelines: A Pragmatic Approach

The bulletin highlights key elements of the Competition Bureau's draft greenwashing guidelines in respect of June 2024 amendments to the Competition Act.

Jan 13, 2025

The United States Challenges Canada’s Digital Services Tax

On August 30, 2024, the United States challenged Canada’s Digital Services Tax under CUSMA. The dispute implicates billions of dollars in Canada-US trade.

Sep 18, 2024

Canada Expands Interim Measures and Disclosure Powers for Foreign Investment National Security Reviews

As of September 3, 2024, the Government has new powers it can use when conducting national security reviews under the Investment Canada Act

Sep 11, 2024

What Canadian Businesses Need to Know About the New Tariffs on Chinese Steel, Aluminum and Electric Vehicles (or: Why Your Next EV May Come with a Side of Surtax)

On August 26, 2024, the Government of Canada announced trade measures targeting Chinese imports such as electric vehicles and steel & aluminum.

Aug 28, 2024

Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Security: Insights on Canada’s Latest Consultation

On August 9, 2024, Global Affairs Canada initiated a 45-day public consultation process focused on safeguarding and enhancing Canada's economic security.

Aug 21, 2024

The Competition Bureau Goes Property Hunting (in Search of Anticompetitive Leases)

Analyzing the Competition Bureau's preliminary guidelines describing its approach for challenging competitor "property controls" in commercial leases

Aug 13, 2024

Changes to the Competition Act: What Merging Parties Need to Know

The Competition Act's amendments to Canada's merger review regime are significant, and merging parties should take note.

Jul 24, 2024

Bill C-59’s Expansion of the Competition Act’s Deceptive Marketing Practices: “Greenwashing” and Steering Clear of Environmental Misrepresentation

Guidance on the amendments to the deceptive marketing practices provisions in the Competition Act designed to "crack down" on "greenwashing".

Jul 8, 2024

Ready for Change? Bill C-59 Rewrites the Competition Playbook

Bill C-59 has been enacted, introducing significant changes to all aspects of Canada’s competition law regime.

Jun 21, 2024

Sanctions Enforcement Rising: Border Seizures and Forfeitures, Administrative Penalties and a New Reporting Obligation for Sanctions Evasion Offences

Changes to Canada’s sanctions regime under Bill C-59 will add reporting requirements for importers/exporters, create AMPs, and grant new CBSA seizure powers.

Jun 13, 2024

New Era of Foreign Investment Scrutiny Starts in Canada with Passage of Investment Canada Act Amendment Bill

Bill C-34 amends the Investment Canada Act to enhance the government of Canada's national security review powers.

Mar 27, 2024

Canada’s New Policies on Investments in the Interactive Digital Media Sector

On March 1, 2024, the Canadian government introduced new policies to increase scrutiny of foreign investments in Canada's Interactive Digital Media sector.

Mar 6, 2024

2024 Changes to Canada’s Thresholds for Merger Notification and Investment Canada Act Reviews

Providing updates on the 2024 merger thresholds under Canada's Competition Act and Investment Canada Act.

Feb 28, 2024

Transformative Change: Your Guide to Canada’s Breathtaking Competition Act Changes

We provide a summary of far-reaching Competition Act amendments proposed in 2023.

Dec 5, 2023

Canada & Taiwan Conclude Foreign Investment Protection Arrangement

Canada-Taiwan FIPA Latest Milestone in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Oct 30, 2023

Procurement in Ontario: Current State-of-Play

Potential changes to procurement in Ontario include the operationalization of Supply Ontario and "Buy Ontario" legislation.

Mar 8, 2023

As NAFTA Legacy Claims Window Closes, Canadian Businesses with Investments in Mexico Maintain Important Protections under CPTPP

Time is running out for investors to launch NAFTA legacy claims, however Canadian claimants maintain important protections against Mexico under the CPTPP.

Mar 1, 2023

Let Them Roll: Dispute Settlement Panel Rules in Favour of Canada and Mexico on Automotive Rules of Origin and “Roll-Up” Method under CUSMA

Analysis of recent CUSMA panel decision on automotive rules of origin. Use of the roll-up method for core parts was in dispute between Canada, US and Mexico.

Jan 24, 2023

Canada Poised to Increase Regulation of Forced Labour in Supply Chains

Developments in Canadian regulation of forced labour in supply chains and their potential impacts on Canadian businesses

Jun 7, 2022

Canada Expands Sanctions on Russia and Proposes Broad Legislative Changes to its Sanctions Regime

An overview of two further rounds of Canadian sanctions against Russia as well as amendments that would strengthen Canada’s sanctions regime.

Jun 1, 2022

McMillan LLP’s CUSMA Dispute Settlement Scoreboard

Overview and analysis of disputes under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, including bi-national panel review, ISDS, and general dispute settlement

Mar 11, 2022

Federal Government Launches Consultations on Remedies Against Low-Priced Imports

A review of the stakeholder engagement process for proposed amendments to the Special Import Measures Act and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act

Sep 13, 2021